[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10225-10231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5089]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals; request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 2707 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(2008 Act) establishes the Cooperative Conservation Partnership
Initiative (CCPI) by amending Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of
1985 [16 U.S.C. 3843]. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the
authority for CCPI to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), who is a Vice President of the Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC). NRCS is an agency of the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA). Congress established CCPI to assist potential
partners with focusing conservation assistance in defined project areas
to achieve high-priority natural resource objectives. In fiscal year
(FY) 2009, NRCS will make Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funds available to
owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest
lands who will participate in CCPI projects.
The purpose of this notice is to inform potential partners and
producers that include nonindustrial private forest landowners of the
availability of CCPI funds and other assistance and to solicit
proposals from potential partners who seek to enter into partnership
agreements with NRCS to enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural
and nonindustrial private forest land.
Additionally, NRCS requests public comment on how CCPI can
contribute to the Nation's efforts on energy, climate change, and
carbon sequestration within the framework of the Initiative.
[[Page 10226]]
DATES: Proposals must be received in the NRCS State office or National
office (where the project areas are multi-State or national) within 45
days of the date of this notice. Comments must be received within 30
days of the date of this notice.
Addresses for Submitting Proposals: Written proposals should be
sent to the appropriate State Conservationist, Natural Resources
Conservation Service. The telephone numbers and addresses of the NRCS
State Conservationists are attached in the appendix of this notice. For
multi-State proposals, written proposals should be sent to the Chief,
Attention: Director, Financial Assistance Programs Division, Room 5241
South Building (Subject: CCPI Proposals), PO Box 2890, Washington, DC
20013. If the project is multi-state in scope, all State
Conservationists in the project area must be sent the proposal for
review. State Conservationist(s) must submit letters to NRCS National
Headquarters by May 8, 2009. A list of NRCS State office addresses and
phone numbers is included at the end of the notice. Potential partners
are encouraged to consult with the appropriate State Conservationist(s)
during proposal development to discuss the letter of review.
Addresses for Submitting Comments: You may send comments which will
be available to the public in their entirety, using any of the
following methods:
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending comments electronically.
Mail: Financial Assistance Programs Division, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 5241 South Building (Subject: CCPI Comments),
Washington, DC 20250-2890; Fax: (202) 720-4265. Hand Delivery Room:
Room 5241 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5237,
Washington, DC 20250, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
This notice may be accessed via Internet. Users can access the NRCS
homepage at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/; select the Farm Bill link from
the menu; select the Notices link from beneath the Federal Register
Notices Index title. Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should
contact the USDA TARGET Center at: (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To view public comments, please ask the guard at the entrance to
the South Building to call (202) 720-4527 to be escorted into the
building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Financial Assistance
Programs Division, NRCS; phone: (202) 720-1845; fax: (202) 720-4265; or
e-mail: CCPI2008@wdc.usda.gov; Subject: CCPI; or via Internet. Users
can access the NRCS homepage at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/; select the
Farm Bill link from the menu; select the Notices link from beneath the
Federal Register Notices Index title. Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print,
audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA TARGET Center at: (202) 720-
2600 (voice and TDD).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Funding
Effective on the publication date of this notice, the CCC announces
the availability until September 30, 2009, of up to $52.4 million of
financial assistance funds for CCPI. Under CCPI, the NRCS State
Conservationist or Chief enters into multi-year agreements with State
and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, producer
associations, farmer cooperatives, institutions of higher education,
and nongovernmental organizations with a history of working
cooperatively with producers. The Chief has designated $5.8 million of
financial assistance funds for multi-State or national projects.
Partnership agreement selection for National and State projects will be
based on the criteria established in this notice.
Definitions
Agricultural land means cropland, grassland, rangeland, pasture,
and other agricultural land, on which agricultural and forest-related
products or livestock are produced and resource concerns may be
addressed. Other agricultural lands may include cropped woodland,
marshes, incidental areas included in the agricultural operation, and
other types of agricultural land used for production of livestock.
Beginning Farmer or Rancher means a person or legal entity who:
(a) Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or
ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years. This requirement applies
to all members of an entity who will materially and substantially
participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.
(b) In the case of a contract with an individual, individually, or
with the immediate family, material and substantial participation
requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and
management of the farm or ranch consistent with the practices in the
county or State where the farm is located.
(c) In the case of a contract with an entity or joint operation,
all members must materially and substantially participate in the
operation of the farm or ranch. Material and substantial participation
requires that each of the members provide some amount of the management
or labor and management necessary for day-to-day activities, such that
if each of the members did not provide these inputs, operation of the
farm or ranch would be seriously impaired.
Chief means the Chief of NRCS, USDA.
Conservation practice means one or more conservation improvements
and activities including structural practices, land management
practices, vegetative practices, forest management practices, and other
improvements that achieve the program purposes that are planned and
installed in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications.
Contract means a legal document that specifies the rights and
obligations of any participant accepted to participate in EQIP. A
contract is a binding agreement for the transfer of assistance from
USDA to the participant to share in the costs of applying conservation
practices.
Cost-share agreement means a legal document that specifies the
rights and obligations of any participant accepted into WHIP. A WHIP
cost-share agreement is a binding agreement for the transfer of
assistance from USDA to the participant to share in the costs of
applying conservation.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) means a program
administered by NRCS in accordance with 7 CFR part 1466, which provides
for the installation and implementation of conservation practices on
agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land.
Field Office Technical Guide means the official local NRCS source
of resource information and interpretation of guidelines, criteria, and
standards for planning and applying conservation treatments and
conservation management systems. It contains detailed information on
the conservation of soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources
applicable to the local area for which it is prepared.
Forest management plan means a site-specific plan that is prepared
by a professional resource manager, in consultation with the
participant, and is approved by the State Conservationist. Forest
management plans may include a forest stewardship plan, as specified in
[[Page 10227]]
Section 5 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C.
2103a); another practice plan approved by the State Forester; or
another plan determined appropriate by the State Conservationist. The
plan must comply with Federal, State, tribal, and local laws,
regulations, and permit requirements.
Indian land means: (1) Land held in trust by the United States for
individual Indians or Indian tribes, or (2) land, the title to which is
held by individual Indians or Indian tribes subject to Federal
restrictions against alienation or encumbrance, or (3) land which is
subject to rights of use, occupancy, and/or benefit of certain Indian
tribes, or (4) land held in fee title by an Indian, Indian family, or
Indian tribe.
Indian tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)
which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services
provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as
Indians.
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher means:
(a) A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than
$155,200 in each of the previous 2 years (adjusted for inflation using
Prices Paid by Farmer Index as compiled by National Agricultural
Statistical Service), and
(b) Has a total household income at or below the national poverty
level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of county median
household income in each of the previous 2 years (to be determined
annually using Commerce Department Data).
Nonindustrial private forest land means rural land, as determined
by the Secretary, that has existing tree cover or is suitable for
growing trees; and is owned by any nonindustrial private individual,
group, association, corporation, Indian Tribe, or other private legal
entity that has definitive decisionmaking authority over the land.
Partner means an entity that enters into a partnership agreement
with NRCS to carry out the CCPI activities. Eligible partners include
federally recognized Indian Tribes, State and local units of
government, producer associations, farmer cooperatives, and
institutions of higher education or nongovernmental organizations with
a history of working cooperatively with producers.
Participant means a person or legal entity, joint operation, or
tribe that is receiving payment or is responsible for implementing the
terms and conditions of a contract or cost-share agreement under a
program covered by CCPI.
Partnership agreement means a multi-year agreement between NRCS and
the partner.
Payment means financial assistance provided to a participant in
accordance with a program contract or cost-share agreement. Payments
and payment rates are guided by the existing program rules.
Producer means a person, legal entity, or joint operation who has
an interest in the agricultural operation, according to 7 CFR part
1400, or who is engaged in agricultural production or forestry
management.
Resource Concern means a specific natural resource problem that
represents a significant concern in a State or region, and is likely to
be addressed successfully through the implementation of conservation
activities by producers.
Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher means a farmer or rancher
who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudices because of their
identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual
qualities.
State Conservationist means the NRCS employee who is authorized to
implement conservation programs, administered by NRCS, and who directs
and supervises NRCS activities in a State, the Caribbean Area, or the
Pacific Islands Area.
State Technical Committee means a committee established by the
Secretary in a State pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3861.
Technical assistance means technical expertise, information, and
tools necessary for the conservation of natural resources on land
active in agricultural, forestry, or related uses. The term includes
the following: (1) Technical services provided directly to farmers,
ranchers, and other eligible entities such as conservation planning,
technical consultation, and assistance with design and implementation
of conservation practices; and (2) technical infrastructure including
activities, processes, tools, and agency functions needed to support
delivery of technical services, such as technical standards, resource
inventories, training, data, technology, monitoring, and effects
analyses.
Technical Service Provider means an individual, private-sector
entity, or public agency certified by NRCS to provide technical
services to program participants, in lieu of or on behalf of NRCS.
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) means a program
administered by NRCS in accordance with 7 CFR 636, which provides for
technical and financial assistance to protect, restore, develop, and
enhance wildlife habitat.
Overview of the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative
Background
The CCPI is a voluntary conservation initiative that establishes
specific parameters for working with eligible partners to provide
financial and technical assistance to owners and operators of
agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. The assistance
provided enables participants to install and maintain conservation
practices, including the development and adoption of innovative
conservation practices and management approaches.
CCPI uses the funds, policies, and processes of EQIP and WHIP to
deliver flexible conservation assistance to owners and operators of
agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Under CCPI, NRCS
enters into partnership agreements with eligible entities that want to
enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural and nonindustrial private
forest land. The intent of CCPI is for the Federal government to
leverage investment in natural resources conservation and enhancement
from non-Federal sources and to coordinate Federal efforts with other
Federal, State, tribal, and local efforts. The purposes of a CCPI
partnership agreement are to: (1) Address conservation priorities
involving agriculture and nonindustrial private forest land on a local,
State, multi-State, or regional level; (2) to encourage producers to
cooperate in meeting applicable Federal, State, and local regulatory
requirements related to production; (3) to encourage producers to
cooperate in the installation and maintenance of conservation practices
that affect multiple agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land;
and (4) to promote the development and demonstration of innovative
conservation practices and delivery methods, including those for
specialty crop and organic production and precision agriculture
producers.
Partners who may enter into partnership agreements with NRCS
include federally recognized Indian Tribes, State and local units of
government, producer associations, farmer cooperatives, institutions of
higher education, and nongovernmental organizations with a history of
working cooperatively with producers to effectively address
conservation priorities related to agricultural production and
nonindustrial private forest land. Potential partners may submit
proposals that request assistance for a specified project area which
may
[[Page 10228]]
be defined by geo-political boundaries, watershed boundaries, or
resource concern. The proposal must describe the area to be covered by
the project, conservation priorities in the area, conservation
objectives to be achieved, the number of producers, including
nonindustrial private forest landowners, which are likely to
participate; a description of the partner, or partners, collaborating
to achieve the objectives of the agreement, and the roles,
responsibilities, and capabilities of the partners; a description of
the resources that are requested from the Secretary and the
contributions of the partners; a description of the plan for
monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on progress made towards
achieving the objectives of the agreement; and other information that
may be required by the Secretary.
Once a partnership proposal is selected, eligible individuals
wishing to participate in the project must apply directly to NRCS for
funding. Individual applications will be evaluated to ensure that
applications selected for funding are most aligned with the project
objective. All Federal funds made available through this CCPI request
for proposals (RFP) will be provided directly to eligible participants
through EQIP contracts and WHIP cost-share agreements. Producers
interested in applying must meet the eligibility requirements of the
program for which they are applying.
In FY 2009, the aim of CCPI is to deliver EQIP and WHIP assistance
to achieve high-priority conservation objectives in geographic areas
defined by the partner. Where flexibility is needed to meet project
objectives, program adjustments may be made provided such adjustments
are within the scope of the applicable programs' statutory and
regulatory program authorities. An example of a program adjustment may
be bypassing the applicable program ranking process in a situation
where a partner has identified the producers approved to participate in
the project. Other examples of program adjustments may include
flexibility in payment levels, or using a single area-wide plan of
operations rather than individual plans of operations.
Submitting Proposals
Prospective partners submit complete proposals to the appropriate
State Conservationist (State Initiatives) or the Chief (if the project
is multi-State or national). All proposals must be submitted to the
appropriate State Conservationist or Chief (Attn: Director, Financial
Assistance Programs Division) within 45 days of the date of this
notice. If a project is multi-state in scope, all State
Conservationists in the project area must be sent the proposal for
review. State Conservationist(s) must submit letters to the NRCS
National Headquarters by May 8, 2009. A list of NRCS State office
addresses and phone numbers is included at the end of the notice.
Potential partners are encouraged to consult with the appropriate State
Conservationist(s) during proposal development to discuss the letter of
review. No agency form is provided; rather, applicants must provide a
narrative proposal following the requirements set forth in this notice.
The Chief or State Conservationist will review and evaluate the
proposals based on the criteria set forth in this notice. Incomplete
proposals will not be considered and will be returned to the submitting
entity. Positive consideration will be given to proposals that provide
for outreach to beginning, socially disadvantaged, and limited resource
farmers or ranchers within the area covered by the project. Positive
consideration will also be given to proposals that both achieve program
purposes and further the Nation's efforts with renewable energy
production, energy conservation, mitigating the effects of climate
change, facilitating climate change adaptation, or fostering carbon
sequestration. An example of this type of activity may be planting
trees along riparian corridors, which not only enhances wildlife
habitat and controls erosion, but also sequesters carbon. Once a
proposal is selected, NRCS will enter into contracts or cost-share
agreements, depending on the applicable program, with eligible
participants to install and perform conservation practices and/or
enhancements to meet objectives described in the project proposal.
Producers interested in participating in CCPI may apply for
designated CCPI funds at their local United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) service center. The designated conservationist will
determine the applicable program (EQIP and WHIP) requirements depending
on the practices and/or activities which the applicant seeks to install
or perform. For example, a State Conservationist will enter into an
EQIP contract with an applicant who seeks to apply an agricultural
waste management facility, while an applicant who wishes to apply a
conservation practice that enhances habitat for at-risk or declining
species enters into a WHIP cost-share agreement.
Producers seeking to participate in a CCPI project must meet all
program-specific eligibility requirements. The requirements that apply
to the contract or cost-share agreement are determined by the program
selected, as adjusted by any approved flexibility. For information on
the limitations and benefits, including appropriate payment limitations
which apply to land and participants enrolled in EQIP and WHIP, please
consult the appropriate programs' statutory authority and regulations:
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (U.S.C. 3836a, 7 CFR 1466) and
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1, 7 CFR 636). You
may also visit the NRCS Web site at www.nrcs.usda.gov for additional
information by selecting the ``Programs'' tab.
Partner and Land Eligibility
Entities eligible to participate as partners include federally
recognized Indian Tribes, State and local units of government, producer
associations, farmer cooperatives, institutions of higher education, or
nongovernmental organizations with a history of working cooperatively
with producers to effectively address conservation priorities related
to agricultural production and nonindustrial private forest land.
The following land is eligible for enrollment in the CCPI:
Private agricultural and nonindustrial private forest
land,
Land meeting the covered programs (EQIP and WHIP)
eligibility rules. Eligible land is defined for each program in
regulation:
EQIP: 7 CFR 1466.8(c)
WHIP: 7 CFR 636.4
Proposal Criteria
To be eligible for selection, prospective partners must submit a
complete proposal to the Chief or the appropriate State
Conservationist. The proposal must contain the information set forth
below in order to receive consideration:
(a) A description of the partner(s) history of working with
producers to address the conservation objectives to be achieved;
(b) A description of the geographic area covered by the proposal,
conservation priorities in the area, conservation objectives to be
achieved, and the expected level of participation by producers;
(c) A description of the partner(s) collaborating to achieve the
objectives of the agreement and the roles, responsibilities, and
capabilities of the partner(s);
(d) A description of the project duration, not to exceed 5 years in
length, and schedule that details when the potential partner
anticipates
[[Page 10229]]
finishing the project and submitting a final report;
(e) A description of the resources that are requested from the
Secretary, and the non-Federal resources that will be leveraged by the
Federal contribution;
(f) A description of the plan for monitoring, evaluating, and
reporting on progress made towards achieving the objectives of the
agreement;
(g) A list of the criteria to be used to prioritize individual
producer applications to ensure that applications most aligned with the
proposal's objectives receive priority;
(h) An estimate of the percentage of producers, including
nonindustrial private forest landowners, in the project area that are
likely to participate in the project;
(i) A description of the conservation practices and activities to
be applied on the landscape within the project timeframe;
(j) An estimate of the financial assistance program funds and acres
needed to implement the conservation practices and activities within
the project area (for multi-State or national projects, provide the
funds/acres by State);
(k) A description of any requested program adjustments, by program,
with explanation of why the adjustment is needed in order to achieve
the objectives of the project. If a partner is requesting specific
program flexibilities that depend on detailed participant or project
information, the proposal must provide the needed information. Partners
should contact their local NRCS office to determine the specific
information required;
(l) A description of how the partner will provide for outreach to
beginning, limited resource, and small and disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers and Indian Tribes; and
(m) A description of how the proposal's objectives further the
Nation's efforts with renewable energy production, energy conservation,
mitigating the effects of climate change, facilitating climate change
adaptation, or fostering carbon sequestration, if applicable.
Ranking Considerations
Once the Chief or appropriate State Conservationist has assessed
the merits of each proposal, the Chief or appropriate State
Conservationist will rank the proposals via a competitive process. The
Chief or State Conservationist shall give a higher priority to
proposals that:
Have a high percentage of producers actively farming or
managing working agricultural or nonindustrial private forest lands
included in the area covered by the agreement;
Complete the application of the conservation practices
and/or activities on all of the covered program contracts or cost-share
agreements in 5 years or less;
Assist the participants in meeting local, State, and/or
Federal regulatory requirements;
Significantly leverage non-Federal financial and technical
resources and coordinate with other local, State, or Federal efforts;
Provide for matching technical assistance funds to assist
participants with the implementation of their EQIP contracts and WHIP
cost-share agreements;
Deliver high percentages of applied conservation to
address water quality, water conservation, or State, regional, or
national conservation initiatives;
Provide innovation in conservation methods and delivery,
including outcome-based performance measures and methods;
Further the Nation's efforts with renewable energy
production, energy conservation, mitigating the effects of climate
change, facilitating climate change adaptation, or fostering carbon
sequestration; or
Provide for outreach to, and participation of, beginning
farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers,
limited resource farmers or ranchers, and Indian Tribes within the area
covered by the agreement.
Partnership Agreements
NRCS will enter a partnership agreement with a selected partner as
the mechanism for participation in CCPI. The partnership agreement will
not obligate funds, but will address among other things:
The role of the partner;
The role of NRCS;
The responsibilities of the partner as it relates to the
monitoring and evaluation;
The format and frequency of reports (semi-annual, annual,
and final) that are required as a condition of the agreement;
The frequency and duration of the monitoring and
evaluation that will take place within the project area;
Plan of Work and Budget to identify other funding sources
(if applicable) for financial and/or technical assistance;
The specified project timeframe; and
Other requirements deemed necessary by NRCS to further the
purposes of the CCPI project.
Once a proposal is selected and a partnership agreement is signed,
and subject to the availability of funding, NRCS begins entering into
EQIP contracts and/or WHIP cost-share agreements directly with
producers that include nonindustrial private forest landowners who are
participating in the project. The program used will depend upon the
type of practices or activities anticipated to be applied. Participants
may have multiple contracts through CCPI if more than one covered
program is needed to accomplish the project objectives.
Request for Public Input
USDA furthers the Nation's ability to increase renewable energy
production and conservation, mitigate the effects and adapt to climate
change, and reduce net carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
through various assistance programs.
USDA is increasing renewable energy production through facilitating
the availability, adoption, and use of wind, solar, and biofuel energy
sources. USDA encourages renewable energy production by funding biofuel
technology transfer under Conservation Innovation Grants and through
facilitating wind and solar power generation facilities for on-farm use
on conservation lands under the Conservation Reserve Program and the
Grassland Reserve Program.
Energy conservation is improved through more efficient equipment
and processes. EQIP fosters energy conservation on farms and ranches by
promoting efficient water irrigation systems, no-till, and nutrient
management and promoting renewable energy production by installing
solar-generated electric fences.
The effects of climate change can be mitigated through improving
the adaptability of ecosystems and flexibility of agricultural
management systems including reductions in GHG emissions. WHIP improves
ecosystem adaptability by enhancing wildlife habitat biodiversity and
the Agricultural Management Assistance program promotes flexible
management system through integrative pest management.
Climate change adaptation occurs through the adoption of
alternative management systems which respond to changes such as
decreasing precipitation, longer growing seasons, and increasing
vulnerability to pest damage. USDA conservation programs, such as the
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, encourage the adoption of water
conservation systems and dry land farming.
Net carbon emissions can be reduced by either reducing fossil fuel
use or increasing the land's carbon storage
[[Page 10230]]
capacity. USDA conservation programs, such as EQIP, assist participants
with reducing fossil fuel use through no-till and other conservation-
tillage cropping systems which require fewer trips over a field with a
tractor. The Wetlands Reserve Program and Healthy Forests Reserve
Program sequester carbon by encouraging agricultural land
reforestation. The Conservation Stewardship Program encourages
conservation tillage activities that improve soil carbon storage.
While much is underway, USDA has adopted a proactive strategy to
increase its ability to meet these critical national needs. Therefore,
CCC is using this rulemaking opportunity to obtain input from the
public on how CCPI can achieve its program purposes and further the
Nation's efforts with renewable energy production, energy conservation,
mitigating the effects of climate change, facilitating climate change
adaptation, or reducing net carbon emissions. For further information
on these subjects, you may wish to look at the following Web site:
http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/.
Signed in Washington, DC, on this date, March 5, 2009.
Dave White,
Acting Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation and Chief, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
NRCS State Conservationists
Alabama
William Puckett, 3381 Skyway Drive, Post Office Box 311, Auburn, AL
36830, Phone: (334) 887-4535, Fax: (334) 887-4551,
bill.puckett@al.usda.gov.
Alaska
Robert Jones, Atrium Building, Suite 100, 800 West Evergreen,
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, Phone: (907) 761-7760, Fax: (907) 761-7790,
robert.jones@ak.usda.gov.
Arizona
David McKay, 230 N First Avenue, Suite 509, Phoenix, AZ 85003-1733,
Phone: (602) 280-8801, Fax: (602) 280-8809, david.mckay@az.usda.gov.
Arkansas
Kalven L. Trice, Federal Building, Room 3416, 700 West Capitol
Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201-3228, Phone: (501) 301-3100, Fax:
(501) 301-3194, kalven.trice@ar.usda.gov.
California
Lincoln (Ed) Burton, Suite 4164, 430 G Street, Davis, CA 95616-4164,
Phone: (530) 792-5600, Fax: (530) 792-5790, ed.burton@ca.usda.gov.
Caribbean Area
Juan A. Martinez, Director, IBM Building, Suite 604, 654 Munoz
Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-4123, Phone: (787) 766-5206, Fax:
(787) 766-5987, juan.martinez@pr.usda.gov.
Colorado
James Allen Green, Room E200C, 655 Parfet Street, Lakewood, CO
80215-5521, Phone: (720) 544-2810, Fax: (720) 544-2965,
allen.green@co.usda.gov.
Connecticut
Douglas Zehner, 344 Merrow Road, Suite A, Tolland, CT 06084, Phone:
(860) 871-4011, Fax: (860) 871-4054, doug.zehner@ct.usda.gov.
Delaware
Russell Morgan, Suite 100, 1221 College Park Drive, Dover, DE 19904-
8713, Phone: (302) 678-4160, Fax: (302) 678-0843,
russell.morgan@de.usda.gov.
Florida
Carlos Suarez, 2614 N.W. 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606-6611,
Phone: (352) 338-9500, Fax: (352) 338-9574,
carlos.suarez@fl.usda.gov.
Georgia
James Tillman, Federal Building, Stop 200, 355 East Hancock Avenue,
Athens, GA 30601-2769, Phone: (706) 546-2272, Fax: (706) 546-2120,
james.tillman@ga.usda.gov.
Pacific Islands Area
Lawrence T. Yamamoto, Room 4-118, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu,
HI 96850-0002, Phone: (808) 541-2600, Ext. 100, Fax: (808) 541-1335,
larry.yamamoto@hi.usda.gov.
Idaho
Jeff Burwell, Suite C, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Boise, ID 83709,
Phone: (208) 378-5700, Fax: (208) 378-5735,
jeffery.burwell@id.usda.gov.
Illinois
William J. Gradle, 2118 W. Park Court, Champaign, IL 61821, Phone:
(217) 353-6600, Fax: (217) 353-6676, bill.gradle@il.usda.gov.
Indiana
Jane E. Hardisty, 6013 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278-2933,
Phone: (317) 290-3200, Fax: (317) 290-3225,
jane.hardisty@in.usda.gov.
Iowa
Richard Sims, 693 Federal Building, Suite 693, 210 Walnut Street,
Des Moines, IA 50309-2180, Phone: (515) 284-6655, Fax: (515) 284-
4394, richard.sims@ia.usda.gov.
Kansas
Eric Banks, 760 South Broadway, Salina, KS 67401-4642, Phone: (785)
823-4500, Fax: (785) 452-3369, eric.banks@ks.usda.gov.
Kentucky
Tom Perrin, Suite 210, 771 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY 40503-
5479, Phone: (859) 224-7350, Fax: (859) 224-7399,
tom.perrin@ky.usda.gov.
Louisiana
Kevin Norton, 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, Phone:
(318) 473-7751, Fax: (318) 473-7626, kevin.norton@la.usda.gov.
Maine
Juan Hernandez, Suite 3, 967 Illinois Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401,
Phone: (207) 990-9100, Ext. 3, Fax: (207) 990-9599,
juan.hernandez@me.usda.gov.
Maryland
Jon Hall, John Hanson Business Center, Suite 301, 339 Busch's
Frontage Road, Annapolis, MD 21409-5543, Phone: (410) 757-0861 Ext.
315, Fax: (410) 757-6504, jon.hall@md.usda.gov.
Massachusetts
Christine Clarke, 451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002-2995, Phone:
(413) 253-4351, Fax: (413) 253-4375, christine.clarke@ma.usda.gov.
Michigan
Garry Lee, Suite 250, 3001 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, MI 48823-
6350, Phone: (517) 324-5270, Fax: (517) 324-5171,
garry.lee@mi.usda.gov.
Minnesota
William Hunt, Suite 600, 375 Jackson, St. Paul, MN 55101-1854,
Phone: (651) 602-7900, Fax: (651) 602-7913,
william.hunt@mn.usda.gov.
Mississippi
Homer L. Wilkes, Suite 1321, Federal Building, 100 West Capitol
Street, Jackson, MS 39269-1399, Phone: (601) 965-5205 ext. 130, Fax:
(601) 965-4940, homer.wilkes@ms.nrcs.usda.gov.
Missouri
Roger A. Hansen, Parkade Center, Suite 250, 601 Business Loop 70
West, West Columbia, MO 65203-2546, Phone: (573) 876-0901, Fax:
(573) 876-0913, roger.hansen@mo.usda.gov.
Montana
Joyce Swartzendruber, Federal Building, Room 443, 10 East Babcock
Street, Bozeman, MT 59715-4704, Phone: (406) 587-6811, Fax: (406)
587-6761, joyce.swartzendruber@mt.usda.gov.
Nebraska
Stephen K. Chick, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall
N., Lincoln, NE 68508-3866, Phone: (402) 437-5300, Fax: (402) 437-
5327, steve.chick@ne.usda.gov.
Nevada
Bruce Petersen, 1365 Corporate Blvd, Reno, NV 89502, Phone: (775)
857-8500 x. 102, Fax: (775) 857-8524, bruce.petersen@nv.usda.gov.
New Hampshire
George W. Cleek IV, Federal Building, 2 Madbury Road, Durham, NH
03824-2043, Phone: (603) 868-9931, Ext. 125, Fax: (603) 868-5301,
george.cleek@nh.usda.gov.
[[Page 10231]]
New Jersey
Thomas Drewes, 220 Davidson Avenue, 4th Floor, Somerset, NJ 08873-
3157, Phone: (732) 537-6040, Fax: (732) 537-6095,
thomas.drewes@nj.usda.gov.
New Mexico
Dennis Alexander, Suite 305, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE, Albuquerque,
NM 87109-3734, Phone: (505) 761-4400, Fax: (505) 761-4481,
dennis.alexander@nm.usda.gov.
New York
Astor Boozer, Suite 354, 441 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY
13202-2450, Phone: (315) 477-6504, Fax: (315) 477-6560,
astor.boozer@ny.usda.gov.
North Carolina
Mary K. Combs, 4407 Bland Road, Suite 117, Raleigh, NC 27609-6293,
Phone: (919) 873-2101, Fax: (919) 873-2156, mary.combs@nc.usda.gov.
North Dakota
J.R. Flores, Jr., Federal Building Room 270, 220 E. Rosser Avenue,
Bismarck, ND 58501-1458, Phone: (701) 530-2000, Fax: (701) 530-2110,
jr.flores@nd.usda.gov.
Ohio
Terry Cosby, Room 522, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-
2478, Phone: (614) 255-2472, Fax: (614) 255-2548,
terry.cosby@oh.usda.gov.
Oklahoma
Ronald L. Hilliard, 100 USDA, Suite 206, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074-
2655, Phone: (405) 742-1204, Fax: (405) 742-1126,
ron.hilliard@ok.usda.gov.
Oregon
Ron Alvarado, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 900, Portland, OR 97232,
Phone: (503) 414-3200, Fax: (503) 414-3103,
ron.alvarado@or.usda.gov.
Pennsylvania
Craig Derickson, Suite 340, One Credit Union Place, Harrisburg, PA
17110-2993, Phone: (717) 237-2203, Fax: (717) 237-2238,
craig.derickson@pa.usda.gov.
Rhode Island
Richard ``Pooh'' Vongkhamdy, Suite 46, 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI
02886-0111, Phone: (401) 828-1300 ext. 844, Fax: (401) 828-0433,
michelle.moore@ri.usda.gov.
South Carolina
Niles Glasgow, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, Room 950, 1835
Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201-2489, Phone: (803) 253-3935,
Fax: (803) 253-3670, niles.glasgow@sc.usda.gov.
South Dakota
Janet L. Oertly, 200 Fourth Street SW, Huron, SD 57350-2475, Phone:
(605) 352-1200, Fax: (605) 352-1288, janet.oertly@sd.usda.gov.
Tennessee
J. Kevin Brown, 675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, TN
37203-3878, Phone: (615) 277-2531, Fax: (615) 277-2578,
kevin.brown@tn.usda.gov.
Texas
Donald W. Gohmert, W.R. Poage Federal Building, 101 South Main
Street, Temple, TX 76501-7602, Phone: (254) 742-9800, Fax: (254)
742-9819, don.gohmert@tx.usda.gov.
Utah
Sylvia Gillen, W.F. Bennett Federal Building, Room 4402, 125 South
State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1100, Phone: (801) 524-4555,
Fax: (801) 524-4403, sylvia.gillen@ut.usda.gov.
Vermont
Judith Doerner, Suite 105, 356 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT
05446, Phone: (802) 951-6795 ext. 228, Fax: (802) 951-6327,
judy.doerner@vt.usda.gov.
Virginia
Jack Bricker, Culpeper Building, Suite 209, 1606 Santa Rosa Road,
Richmond, VA 23229-5014, Phone: (804) 287-1691, Fax: (804) 287-1737,
jack.bricker@va.usda.gov.
Washington
Roylene Rides at the Door, Rock Pointe Tower II, Suite 450, W. 316
Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201-2348, Phone: (509) 323-2900, Fax:
(509) 323-2909, roylene.rides-at-the-door@wa.usda.gov.
West Virginia
Kevin Wickey, Room 301, 75 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, Phone:
(304) 284-7540, Fax: (304) 284-4839, kevin.wickey@wv.usda.gov.
Wisconsin
Patricia S. Leavenworth, 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite 200, Madison,
WI 53717, Phone: (608) 662-4422, Fax: (608) 662-4430,
pat.leavenworth@wi.usda.gov.
Wyoming
Xavier Montoya, P.O. Box 33124, Casper, WY 82602, Phone: (307) 233-
6750, Fax: (307) 233-6753, xavier.montoya@wy.usda.gov.
[FR Doc. E9-5089 Filed 3-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P